Review of town manager applications to begin

Following the closure of the June 30 application deadline for the vacant Pilot Mountain town manager position, town commissioners are starting the review process.

Currently the position is being filled by Michael Boaz who is serving as the interim town manager. Boaz is performing duties associated with a financial officer position as well, a position which is factored into the 2016-2017 budget.

During the application period which ran from the advertisement approval date, April 11 to June 30, the town received 27 applications.

According to Ron Niland of All American Associates — a local firm contracted by Pilot Mountain to help in the search process — the length of time between the start of application review and start date for the new town manager will be between 60 and 90 days. Niland later added that whoever the commissioners decided on, the notice time that they give their current employer will most likely be longer that the traditional two weeks considering the fact that positions such as this are executive level, estimating a 30 to 45 day notice period.

Following discussion at the July 11 commissioner’s meeting, Niland urged that the search for a financial officer be shelved until a new town manager has been hired, adding that the town manager is actually the person who is responsible for hiring the financial officer, not the commissioners. Niland cited the fact that the new town manager should be the one to make the hire, not Boaz, considering the fact that the new town manager and financial officer will be working closely and need to be on the same page.

Each commissioner and Mayor Dwight Atkins will receive a copy of every application submitted and will review the applications individually, then the board as a whole will come together with a selection of their top choices of candidates.

According to the job description posted on the town of Pilot Mountain’s website, qualifications for the position require that applicants possess a bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration or a related field, additionally a master’s degree in public administration is strongly preferred.

Additionally, the description specifies that a “successful candidate” would have between two and five years of experience working in local government administration or finance.

In order to be considered for the position, applicants were required to submit an application, cover letter, resume, five references and their salary history.

Boaz was appointed interim down manager on Sept. 28 having been previously appointed interim finance officer.